Sahera and Temerly were seeing to the last of the supplies for Lana and the wardens. They had two horses packed with freshly hunted food and a couple tents, it was all they had to spare.
Temerly bowed his head to lady Lana, "I would accompany you if you let me." he grunted to her.
Lana smiled and gently took hold of his massive arm, "I know. But you're needed elsewhere and there's no one else I would trust for what you have to do." she reassured him. She reached up on her tip toes and kissed him on his bristly cheek. "Thank you for everything Temerly."
He blushed beneath the beard and grunted in response, bowing his head one last time before moving off, he hated goodbyes.
Sahera looked over at the wardens, "You do realize we're going to have to hunt every night to feed this lot, Lana."
Lana chuckled, "Well they are wardens." it had shocked her how much Cullen, Lucia and Kallian ate, Kallian could just about eat her own body weight in one sitting, it was a good thing she was little.
"Sahera this is Morrigan and Leliana, they'll be joining us." she introduced the women.
Sahera looked long and hard at Morrigan, her magic felt of the old magic, "You are the daughter of Ashar'bellanar." she bowed her head politely it would not be wise to aggravate this woman, "Aneth ara."
"Greetings to you as well." Morrigan inclined her head at the formal greeting she knew was only reserved for respected individuals.
Leliana was taken by the elven woman's facial markings, "You are Dalish?" she asked curiously.
Sahera sighed, "Yes I am Dalish. No you may not ask about the tattoos. Yes I can pin the wings of a bee at one hundred paces. No I will not demonstrate. No we do not abduct women or sacrifice babies. Too messy and loud not to mention snotty and smelly." she listed off the answers to the questions that always came.
Lana chuckled and shook her head as she went off to find Fergus.
The others chuckled as well.
"I take it you get asked that a lot." Leliana was blushing at the snide response to her question.
"Every single day at least a dozen times. I am contemplating writing a sign and hanging it around my neck but few of these shems can read." Sahera grumbled, frustrated with the constant questions and stares, the soldiers from the castle proper were fine, they'd seen her around for years and knew who and what she was. It was the rest of them that were giving her no end of grief.
Lana and Fergus hugged tightly, they were the last of the Couslands and they were going their separate ways on very dangerous tasks. "I love you Fergus, don't you dare die on me." she whispered in his ear.
Fergus just about crushed her, "You either, and I love you to Lana. Keep those wardens in line." he kissed her hair.
When they eventually parted there were tears in Lana's eyes.
"Aw none of that." he smiled, reaching up and brushing his calloused thumb across her lashes.
She smiled, "Until next time brother."
"Next time sis." he nodded and watched her go with a heavy heart. She had been his strength when he'd wanted to just give up, when thoughts of Oriana and Oren had threatened to take him into despair. Lana was so like their mother it was uncanny.
Lana considered their group as they walked through Lothering to reach the other side of the Imperial Highway. She had three mages and two archers, that was five people who needed to stay out of the reach of their enemy, though it appeared Leliana could hold her own either way. She had two strong warriors who could stand in the fray, three if she included herself but when it came to darkspawn she wanted to keep at a distance to decrease the risk of blight sickness. Kallian was better flitting around the edges of a fight and Beast would defend Ashana to his dying breath. However she put it she needed another sword but wasn't about to take any from her brothers men, they were needed throughout Ferelden.
The answer to her problem came standing in a cage that was barely big enough to contain him. "Is that a Qunari?" she blurted in shock at the bronzed giant of a man with white braids tight along his scalp and wearing ill fitting peasant garb.
"Yes. According to the Revered Mother he murdered an entire household, even the children." Leliana explained sadly.
"And how in the void did the templars get him in custody?" Lana looked to the former sister.
"Actually he was waiting for them and gave himself in willingly." Leliana turned from the Qunari to Lana, "I believe he is sincere in wanting to atone, the Revered Mother is leaving him to the darkspawn however."
"Typical Chantry justice, leaving a penitent man to suffer and die." Morrigan scoffed, "Here is a proud, strong man wanting to atone for his actions." she glanced at the sister warily, "I say let him or release him."
"Mercy? From you? I'm shocked!" Alistair shot at her in surprise.
"I would suggest putting Alistair in his place." Morrigan amended quickly.
"Ah, that's more like it." Alistair muttered.
Ashana rolled her eyes, "They've been like this since they met." she groaned to Lana.
Lana grinned, her eyes sparkling, "Well they do say that the more a man and woman fight the more attracted they are to each other."
Both looked absolutely appalled and spluttered in indignation at the mere thought of being attracted to the other.
"Her? Attractive? I'd rather gouge out my eyeballs!" Alistair exclaimed in horror.
"Don't be absurd, he is a idiotic fool better suited to darkspawn fodder." Morrigan growled heatedly at the same time.
Everyone else just chuckled.
"Mhmm." Lana smirked and walked up to the cage. "Greetings Qunari and well met." she offered the traditional Ferelden greeting.
He narrowed his eyes at her, "You mock me, or you show manners I have not seen since my arrival here."
"I've been informed that you killed a family." She ignored the comment.
"You have been informed correctly." He nodded, his face impassive, his deep voice emotionless and he looked out to the fields, no longer making eye contact with her.
"Do you seek atonement?"
"Death will be my atonement."
"What if I could offer you another way to find atonement, would you consider it?" she posed to him.
Now he returned his red tinged violet gaze to her, "What do you offer?"
"Help us fight against the Blight." She knew a little of the Qun, he was clearly military and as such would have somewhat narrow views of the world and the places of people within it.
Now his gaze travelled across her companions, "Are you Gray Wardens?"
"Myself no but some of my companions here are, they're all that's left of the order here in Ferelden. As such they need all the help they can get. Fight with us and it may help you find the atonement you seek." she offered strongly.
"You are... their voice?" He looked down at the human woman.
"That is an apt description." she nodded.
"Then I accept your offer. I will fight with you against the Blight and pledge to you my sword." He bowed his head, hand over his heart solemnly. With that he gripped the cage door and ripped it off its hinges, stepping out and tossing it aside.
There were a couple gasps behind her but Lana grinned, "I am called Lana."
"Sten of the Beresend." he nodded to her, "What is a Lana?"
"My name, my title has been wrongfully taken from me by a deceitful man. He will be dealt with once the threat of the Blight has passed or if he forces the issue of my continued survival." she frowned at the thought.
"Commander is her title now." Kallian put forward quickly.
Lana shot her a scowl.
"What, you'd prefer Boss?" Kallian smirked, "And you are being a strategic and tactical advisor as well as organising our supplies and where we'll be camping, the direction we'll be going..." she listed with a smug smile.
Sten considered the human woman. Women of the Qun did not fight, but this one did?
"I'd have to be a warden to be your Commander. I think I prefer Voice." Lana grinned up at the nine foot tall Qunari warrior. "So what's your weapon of choice? Longsword? Broadsword?"
"A two handed sword will suffice." He grunted.
"Didn't one of the Teyrn's men use a really big sword?" Ashana mused thoughtfully.
"Can you and Kallian see if you can find the lads who were dealing with the bodies, they'd have it or have sold it. I doubt there'll be any armour of your size in Lothering." she took out a couple gold sovereigns and handed them to Kallian who was closer. "The sword won't be worth more than that."
The two elves and the mabari rushed off quickly to fulfil their task.
"We can go to Redcliffe. We need to speak to the Arl anyway." Alistair suggested, he didn't know what the plan was only that they were leaving.
Lana looked at him warily, "Why do we need to speak with the Arl?"
"Well he's an important man and still has his troops cos they weren't at Ostagar. He can help us convince the other nobles that Loghain betrayed the King." Alistair explained quickly.
Lana grit her teeth, Arl Eamon was no friend of Ferelden. He might be Cailan's uncle but he was neck deep in Orlesian conspiracies. "What makes you think Eamon would believe us over Loghain?" she asked slowly.
"He's a good man, trusted at the Landsmeet, surely you should know that!" Alistair shrugged, he didn't really want to reveal why he believed that right now.
Lana glared at him but considered his words. Loghain would ruin all the Orlesian plans Eamon had, he also didn't know that she knew about his actions against Anora. If Eamon could make significant headway in wrenching power from Loghain he would absolutely do it. Slowly her glare softened and she smiled.
Morrigan's eyes narrowed, she knew that kind of smile, it was a dark, dangerous smile that whispered of dark thoughts and calculations.
"Yes, that could work. Eamon would indeed do everything in his power to be rid of Loghain and Redcliffe is only a slight detour on the way to Kinloch Hold." She nodded, she'd planned going there to see if they had records of the Warden Treaties.
"Who are these Baz and what do they have to do with the Blight?" Sten asked in his deep gravelly voice.
"The Blight consists of thousands of darkspawn. Think the seven of us could kill that many?" Lana glanced up at the big man.
"No." he stated simply.
"Exactly so in order to fight the Blight we need to gather allies, build an army. We had an army in Ostagar until Teyrn Loghain, the Queen's father, abandoned us and withdrew his troops without attacking the darkspawn. Hence the army was decimated and only five Gray Wardens remain. The Teyrn is blaming the wardens for the death of the King, saying they lured him into a trap. It's lie of course but with everyone else dead or dishonoured by his words we can't prove otherwise. So we need to show the nobles in the Landsmeet, which is where those who govern Ferelden gather to discuss matters that affect the whole country, that Loghain is a coward and traitor. That will mean we will have the support of more soldiers. Arl Eamon has the support necessary to call a Landsmeet and the influence that people will consider his words and therefore be more likely to believe us. He also has a significant number of troops under his command. In addition to the humans we will also be trying to find the Dalish elves, the Dwarves and the mages as they have treaties of support with the Wardens promising troops in times of Blight." she explained to Sten so that he might understand.
Sten found it confusing but didn't say as much. All he understood was they needed troops to fight the Blight and this plan somehow got them some. He nodded, "As you say."
"Oh! That reminds me! Duncan gave me the treaties." Alistair quickly reached into his breastplate and pulled out the leather bound wad.
"Excellent. I was going to see if the Tower had copies." Lana accepted the offered documents, she'd read through them later.
It wasn't long before Kallian and Ashana returned with a big sword for Sten, they'd wrapped it up in a long strip of leather and had to carry it together which was an amusing sight, especially when the giant took it off them with one hand, they looked like tiny little girls beside him or rather beneath him. Both of them were greatly intimidated by the warrior and quickly moved out of his space.
Sten nodded in thanks, "This will do." he rumbled.
"We'll get out of town then we'll get some food for you, for the time being further is better and you look strong enough to manage." Lana nodded then turned and walked on.
Reaching the old Tevinter highway that was uneven stone blocks and ornate archways that had succumbed to Ferelden winters they'd only travelled about half an hour before Alistair drew his sword.
"Darkspawn up ahead." he warned them as his blood sang.
The other wardens had been feeling a little strange and now realized what it was.
"Alistair, Cullen, Sten take point, Leliana and Sahera bows a pace in front and either side of the mages, Lucia you're on healing, Ashana and Morrigan offensive spells. Kallian you and I will keep to the edge of the battle and flank them, you've got left I'll take right. Bear," she looked to the mabari, "any who get past those three are all yours, protect our mages." she pointed to the men who had already moved to the front.
He barked in approval.
"Move out." Lana commanded firmly and stayed behind their front line of muscle with Kallian shadowing her.
Quickly getting into formation with the horses tied up to a shrub growing between the cracks of the highway which would hopefully be enough to keep them from running away they surged forward. They were spurred on faster at the sounds of cries for help. Around the bend they found the darkspawn moving in on a wagon with two dwarven men cowering in fear.
Sten bellowed a fierce war cry which got the darkspawns attention at the same time as the shared taint carried by the wardens.
The dwarves were immediately forgotten and the dozen or so creatures bellowed and charged the new threats.
Arrows whizzed past the charging men slowing down a couple of the darkspawn but not completely stopping them.
Alistair threw himself at a darkspawn that came to a sudden stop, frozen in place by Ashana and shattered the beast with his shield.
Sten swung his newly acquired two handed sword and clove a smaller genlock in two, his biceps tearing through the far too small shirt as he did so.
Cullen clashed swords with a hurlock hard enough to throw the tainted creature off balance then struck it in the head with the pommel of his sword so it fell to the ground whereupon he promptly thrust his sword through its heart.
Kallian snuck up behind a genlock that was intent on Sten and stabbed her blades into the back of its neck, twisting them cruelly to ensure she did maximum damage and smirked as it fell to the ground very dead and gushing ichor blood.
Not being a warden the darkspawn weren't as interested in Lana, they couldn't sense her like the others. Leaving the majority that were charging to the others who had them well in hand she edged along the cover of the low highway wall to flank a pair of archers. Getting close enough for her throwing blades she tossed a small rock at the back of the head of one of the genlocks.
The shorter darkspawn turned in annoyance, its bow still trained towards the main fight. A moment later it had a dagger sticking out of its eye and fell to the ground dead. Its companion turned, a little more wary but no idea where the prey was. It too fell with a dagger in the eye.
Lana jogged over to the cowering dwarves who were trying to hide behind some fallen crates. The pair appeared to be merchants with a large wagon full of supplies and two oxen who were frightened but had their eyes covered so weren't overly bothered by what was going on nearby.
The older dwarf cried out and scrambled back at the shadow that passed over them.
"Hey now it's alright, I'm not going to hurt you." Lana soothed them both, the younger dwarf looked up at her with slightly glazed blue eyes, he didn't seem as scared as the other one, his father perhaps. "I'm Lana." she introduced herself with a smile.
"Enchantment?" the blonde haired, clean faced dwarf looked up at her eagerly now that he knew she wasn't a threat. His voice was thick and slow and it was quite clear that he wasn't all there.
The older dwarf looked up to see the pretty human smiling down at them and relaxed marginally, then he looked over to see a group of warriors finishing off the last of the darkspawn, "Oh thank you my lady, we are much obliged indeed." he got up slowly and dusted himself off.
"You're welcome good sir." she beamed and offered her hand to the young dwarf.
"Enchantment?" he looked at her confused, quite happy to stay on the ground.
"Ah, don't mind my son. He's a bit simple minded but is very gifted at enchanting, enjoys it to as you can see." the dwarf moved to help his son.
"A dwarf that does enchantments? I've never heard of such an ability." Lana was very curious about the lad now.
"Indeed, the mages at the Tower wanted to study him. I wasn't so keen on that idea. Oh where are my manners. I'm Bodhan and this is my son Sandal. Say hello to the kind lady my boy." he smiled and patted him on the shoulder as the boy got up.
"'Ello." Sandal grinned up at the woman.
"Hello Sandal, well met." she nodded to the boy, his smile seemed to widen happily at her greeting.
"Enchantment!" he clapped his hands happily.
The others were approaching now that the darkspawn were slain, Kallian and Ashana were rummaging through the corpses to see if they had anything useful on them. Kallian had discovered that darkspawn liked collecting shiny things and tokens of their victories, these were usually valuables like coins and jewellery, and Ashana liked just being around the other young elven woman.
"So what happened to the whole 'flanking the darkspawn' thing, huh?" Alistair grinned at Lana, she didn't have a drop of blood on her and was chatting away with the dwarves they'd saved.
Lana smirked at him, "Well seeing as you offered, you can retrieve my daggers from over there and clean them. I want them all shiny like and darkspawn blood free thank you ser." she gestured to the archers she'd downed.
Alistair looked over to see two darkspawn that had been apart from the others and flushed in embarrassment, "Uh, I see. You uh, just didn't look like you'd um, I mean you're so clean and you know blood free and... shutting up now."
Lana laughed, "Unlike you darkspawn blood will do nasty things to me. I prefer clean takedowns. I don't have to smother myself in stinking, tainted blood to proclaim my victories." she winked.
He flushed and mumbled under his breath as he quickly rushed off to do as she'd asked.
"Bodhan, just out of curiosity you wouldn't happen to have anything that might fit my giant companion here would you? It seems his current attire just isn't working for him." Lana flashed Bodhan a charming smile having noticed the tattered state of the shirt Sten was now simply ripping off himself and muttering what she assumed were not very nice things in Qunari.
Bodhan's eyes widened at the Qunari, he'd never seen a being so huge before, "Hmm, I could fix something up for him, I do have a number of clothing items and am quite handy with a needle if I might say so myself." he'd had to be seeing as it was only him and the boy so he was the only one who could fix their clothing. "Where are you kind people heading off to perchance?" he asked thoughtfully.
"Redcliffe." Lana didn't see any harm in telling this dwarf, she doubted he'd go ratting them out to Loghain after they'd just saved his life.
"Hmm yes, that could work nicely. How about this, you allow my son and I to join you on your travels to Redcliffe and I'll stitch something up for your friend and for your protection I'll give you a very generous discount to all of my stocks and anything I might acquire in the future." Bodhan offered he was a merchant but these people had saved the lives of him and his son and he owed them plenty.
Lana considered him carefully, "That does indeed sound like a mighty fine offer, but you should know that some of my companions are Gray Wardens."
Bodhan's eyes lit up, "Truly? Well I would be honoured beyond words to be allowed in such auspicious company, my lady." he bowed to them, all dwarves held the Gray Wardens in high esteem, they were the only ones who truly understood the dangers of the darkspawn, that they were never exterminated at the end of a Blight they simply returned to the Deep Roads. Once the home of the mighty Dwarven empire, now the Deep Roads were tainted ruins with only two cities having survived the tainted beasts, Orzammar and Kal Sharok.
"Excellent. Cullen, Sten, Leliana if you could help these lovely gentlemen with their goods. Sahera see that their Oxen are in a pleasant disposition for a speedy departure. Morrigan if you could scout out the road ahead, make sure there aren't further nasty surprises for us. I'll go get our horses." Lana directed her people with a smile as she quickly made off to get their horses before some roving refugees or bandits decided to take off with them.
Sten was a little disgruntled at the delay but working with the others had the merchant in order quickly.
They gathered around the wagon that was ready to head off. All that was missing was their leader... who was taking an unusual amount of time in getting the horses.
"Perhaps we should see what is keeping her, no?" Leliana suggested to no one in particular.
"Normally I'd say she's just ditchin' the hard stuff, but you know... it's Lana, she don't do that." Kallian shrugged, glancing back to the bend in the road.
Ashana and Bear were busy 'playing' with Sandal who was having a great time with the dog barking with him enthusiastically with Bear barking back like he would with a puppy. Ashana merely made sure neither was going to get hurt, though the sight was highly amusing to her.
"Pashera, it does not take this long to retrieve stationary beasts of burden." Sten growled and strode off to find out what the problem was. He'd only taken a couple steps when Lana stalked into view with two jittery horses in tow and even from a distance she looked seriously annoyed.
"Uh, anyone else thinks she looks pissed off?" Alistair rubbed his jaw, not sure what exactly they should do.
"I hope you got her daggers all shiny, shem or she's gonna kick your arse." Kallian chuckled, agreeing with his observation mentally.
He quickly checked them and did another rub over with his cleaning cloth that was always tucked away in various locations within his armour depending on what he'd been thinking about or distracted by at the time.
As Lana approached there were various gasps of surprise as her previously pristine condition had been somewhat deviated from. Her hair was loose, there were splashes of blood on her armour and face and her right arm guard had been badly damaged.
Sahera rushed over to her and began talking quickly in elvish out of instinctive worry for her dear friend whom she'd been mentoring since she was a da'len.
Lana responded in elvish though by her sharp tone it was very, very clear that she was mad. She didn't stop walking until she tried to tie the horses reins to the back of the cart but her right hand was not working properly and a string of elvish curses hissed through her lips. But not even the lyrical language of the elves could hide the pain from her voice.
Sahera motioned Lucia over with a slight gesture and took the reins from Lana to soothe the horses who were reacting as much to Lana's mental state as to whatever had happened.
Lucia moved to her side quickly, "Let me see." she ordered softly.
Lana winced and held out her hand.
Lucia gently removed the damaged arm guard and her brow furrowed at the very large, swollen, bruising lump that indicated quite clearly that it was broken. "Lana! How did you manage this?" she gasped before beginning her magic.
"Bloody bandits! They'd been following us from Lothering after hearing about the bounty Loghain has on us. Figured they'd take me hostage, have some fun with me before luring you to an ambush. Bah! Brainless fools. Did they bloody well think I wear these swords as fashion accessories? Course I know how to bloody well use them! Even bloody left handed I can trounce the likes of those fools on the first day of my cycle!" Lana fumed. These were people she and Fergus had been risking everything for but that didn't matter to them, a quick way to get their hands on gold was far more important. What really had her upset was that some of them had been barely into their teens. She and Fergus were going to have to be very careful in who they trusted.
"How many were there?" Cullen asked, impressed that she wasn't a crying mess at that painful looking injury.
"I don't know I wasn't counting." Lana growled sullenly.
"Rough guess?" Alistair pressed curiously, he hadn't seen Lana fight before, all he knew of her was that she was a Teyrn's daughter and not just any Teyrn, Teyrn Cousland, she was a strong candidate for the throne itself now that Cailan was dead. He'd been quite stunned to see she'd survived Ostagar when the likes of Duncan had fallen.
"You really want to know go count the bodies. In fact you and Cullen can go and do just that while you're collecting their weapons for us to sell. Kallian and Ashana you can go do your thing and find anything shiny that might make a coin or two. Leliana go keep an eye out on them in case more of the fools decide to try and avenge their friends or something stupid. Sten stop glaring at me and eat something, I've got no idea how long you were in that thing and I doubt they gave you any food so make the most of this short break." she ordered in a tone that brooked no argument, it was her version of her mother's 'Do it and do it now or so help me something very bad will happen to you'.
It certainly did the trick and everyone but Sten scurried to do as they were told.
Sahera gave the smallest smile as she recognized the tone.
The scene where the fight had taken place was one of pure carnage. It was one thing seeing Darkspawn cut to pieces but seeing humans and elves missing arms, legs, heads was a little much for Ashana. She dashed to the edge of the road and threw up over the wall.
"No wonder she was so upset. We helped some of these people." Kallian murmured as she recognized a couple of the corpses, shaking her head in dismay as it wasn't just shems who'd turned on them.
"Remind me to never underestimate her ever, ever again." Alistair scratched his cheek, taking it all in before beginning to scrounge up weapons that would sell for a reasonable value as there was no way they'd be able to take everything.
Lucia finished healing her arm as much as she could, "It's going to be tender for a few days. If we've got any elfroot lotion I'd recommend using it." she suggested, letting go of Lana's hand and attempting to put the arm guard back on.
Lana just shook her head, "Thank you. It's pretty useless until I repair it. Have you ever gone looking for elfroot in the woods before?" she asked softly.
"I was six when I was taken to the tower and this is the first time I've left since." Lucia shook her head.
Lana scowled, "Bloody chantry. Wouldn't it be so ironic if Andraste herself was a mage? I'd laugh till I cried." she muttered dryly.
"That would indeed make life very interesting. Would they accept her as a mage or completely reject her?" Lucia indulged Lana in the topic of conversation though it made her a little uncomfortable given that she herself was a mage.
"Oh if she came back today a mage they'd renounce her as a fraud no doubt." Lana smirked darkly at the idea.
"More likely an abomination." Lucia corrected knowing the Chantry's point of view on mages far more intimately than Lana did.
"True. And it's not even like it's a nice time for a stroll around Ferelden. Is it truly freedom or have the masters of the leash simply changed hands?" Lana asked with a cold tone of voice that wasn't aimed at Lucia but Lucia stepped back as though she'd been slapped.
"What do you mean by that!" She exclaimed in surprise and concern.
Only Sahera noticed Morrigan returning silently.
"Being a Gray Warden is a somewhat permanent arrangement." she chuckled darkly, "A bit like a Chantry marriage, both take the whole 'till death do us part' thing very seriously. Did the Chantry even hand over your phylacteries to the Wardens?" Lana's voice started to lighten just a little with the dark humour.
Lucia looked away towards where the others were though they were out of sight, "You really have no idea just how seriously they take the joining. If you refuse the joining they kill you. One of the other recruits panicked when the first was killed by the taint. Duncan gutted him."
"That bloody bastard!" Lana spat furiously. She clenched her fists and winced at the pain in her right hand. "I understand the order has its secrets, there are things the Chantry can't know or the Divine would go all exalted march on them. But I now have two things I despise about the way they do things. That," she nodded her head to Lucia, "and their stupid right of conscription. I can understand it if the one they want is willing but there are others in the way, but conscripting people who don't want to be Wardens is wrong. Duncan tried that on me. I broke his jaw and threw him on his arse before he could finish saying it."
Morrigan burst out laughing in delight.
Lana whirled around in surprise, "Morrigan! When did you get here?"
"Just in time by the sounds of it. You really broke the jaw of the Warden Commander?" Morrigan managed to ask through her laughter.
"I figured he couldn't conscript me if he couldn't talk. Then I made it abundantly clear that I would kill him if he tried that stunt on me again. We came to an... understanding after that." Lana smirked.
"You are certainly full of surprises." Morrigan contained herself, a little surprised at her outburst but it amused her terribly the idea of little Lana Cousland besting the great Warden Commander.
Lana shrugged, "I really, really did not want to be a warden." she looked back to Lucia sternly, "So no getting any ideas. Just because you're a woman and healed my hand doesn't mean I won't break your jaw if you even try it!"
Lucia smiled and held up her hands in submission, "Wouldn't dream of it, I like my jaw the way it is."
"So anything up ahead we should be wary of?" Lana got back to business, though seeing Morrigan smile was totally worth it, her face lit up and the haughtiness that was the only slightly marring thing about her beauty just melted away.
"The highway is clear for several hours at least." Morrigan nodded, then she noticed Lana's lack of a right arm guard and her senses detected healing magic still tingling in her arm. "I missed something I gather." she nodded to the hand in question.
Lana scowled, "Loghain's got a bounty out on the wardens, most of Lothering knows now and a group of refugees decided to try and take him up on it. When I went back for the horses they tried taking me hostage to lure the wardens into an ambush. Their idea did not work out so well for them."
"Clearly. Did you send them back to Lothering with their tails between their legs?" Morrigan smirked, her golden eyes twinkling in anticipation of a different response.
Lana scoffed, "The man in charge made some speech about asking the Maker to forgive them in case the Wardens were innocent but the gold would feed a lot of hungry bellies. I promised them if they tried to go through with it they'd be asking the Maker for forgiveness personally and would never have to worry about being hungry again. They didn't take the hint and I keep my promises."
"Tis good to know." Morrigan nodded in approval.
Alistair and Cullen were overflowing with an abundance of swords and daggers, even a couple bows when they returned, Kallian and Ashana didn't have much, the refugees were poor, hungry and desperate after all. The men dumped the weapons in the back of the wagon.
"Seventeen! There were seventeen of them!" Alistair gushed, eyes wide with a brand new appreciation of the noble.
"Well I certainly wasn't impressed with them." Lana shrugged, ignoring the stares and leading them off on their journey.
"But seventeen! How did you- how could you possibly- I mean how could anyone fight that many people at once!" Alistair continued to gush like an excited boy.
Sten frowned, the human woman couldn't possibly have killed that many.
"Very quickly and my swords are enchanted to cut through dragonbone." Was all she answered in regards to how.
"Wow, that's a little overkill isn't it?" Alistair glanced at the weapons warily.
"Well should be quite handy given with the Blight there'll be a dragon flying around at some point, that is what the archdemon is right? Big nasty dragon?" she glanced up at him, changing the subject in hopes he'd drop it.
"Yeah, it is. You're right. Very handy. But I'm curious, why would someone like you learn how to fight like that and have weapons like that?" he wasn't about to give it up just yet.
"Someone like me?" Lana raised her brow at him, increasing her pace as the oxen got into stride.
"You know what I mean." Alistair blushed and took a half step back from her.
Lana smirked, "No, I'm not sure I do." she teased him dryly.
"You're a Cousland! You're next in line for the throne. Makers breath you have more of a claim on it than Anora. You're practically a princess by blood not marriage!" he blurted without thinking.
The change in Lana was so abrupt there wasn't a single person who wasn't affected by it. She became ice, it was as though the world around them physically chilled. "That is not true and it would be prudent of you not to bring it up again, Alistair."
Alistair paled, the way she'd said his name was a very clear warning that something very bad would happen to him if he continued this conversation. "Sorry." he mumbled and immediately hung back to walk with the others behind them.
No one dared approach Lana for the rest of the day, though only Morrigan and Sten simply chose to refrain and Sahera simply knew it was better to let Lana calm on her own terms. They walked for hours and hours without rest, Ashana and Lucia climbing on the back of the wagon as after being in the tower for most of their lives they didn't have the stamina the others did.